Seized drug money being used to help community programs

Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni told 22News each year drug dealers forfeit hundreds of thousands of dollars. On Wednesday, cash strapped agencies received $80-thousand to help young people avoid drugs.

Gulluni said, “In Hampden County, and the rest of the Commonwealth, we’re able to give this money back for drug education programs and the groups like the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Clubs.”

Sarah Tsitso, the Executive Director of the Springfield Boys and Girls Club, told 22News, “Last year we started a dance program for our younger kids and our teens. We had a partnership with the Amherst ballet company and others in the community.”